LAKELAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE “ENERGY JOURNEY” IS NORTH AMERICAN BEST IN CLASS IN 2010

Lakeland’s assessment and ranking came from two independent sources evaluating its performance in the areas of general management and energy practices and costs. The studies put an emphasis on energy conservation, which can be a reflection of good governance.

The first evaluation came from Sightlines, an independent organization with what they describe as a “robust” database, the largest in the US, containing facilities metrics for almost 300 colleges and universities and their individual 23,000 buildings. When Lakeland’s energy consumption per square foot of space was measured against their peers, Sightlines found Lakeland had no peer—it was tops.

A second independent evaluation came from Garforth International llc and concurred with Sightline’s conclusions.

But Garforth isn’t content to have Lakeland rest on its North American conservation laurels. Garforth challenged Lakeland to bring its conservation practices up to Best in the World. And that means the college is competing to unseat schools in Austria and Japan, current Bests in the World.

In early 2010, Lakeland became the first community college in Ohio to be honored with the prestigious Bellwether Award from the Community College Futures Assembly in Orlando, Florida, in the category of Planning, Governance and Finance.

The Bellwether Awards were established to recognize outstanding programs that are at the forefront of innovation throughout the United States and Canada. Again, Lakeland is judged best in North America.

Regarding the award, Mike Mayher, Senior Vice President for Administrative Services and Treasurer, said, “Lakeland is committed to reducing our own impact on the environment. We also hope to be a role model for our campus community, as well as for our county, state, and nation. We’re honored to receive this award for innovative, trendsetting programs that other colleges may find worthy of replicating.”

Impressive accomplishments? I think so, and so does PBS, which included an overview of Lakeland’s energy conservation plan and results in a segment you can find by clicking on